I know it's "only spring training," but is it time to be concerned about McLouth?
by lingsched on Mar 19, 2010 1:50 PM EDT
37 comments
His strikeout rate is WAY up and he is hitting .033 2 weeks before the season starts. He definitely doesn't look like the guy he was in Pittsburgh. I was expecting a rebound from the dip in his numbers last year (especially after he got his vision straightened out), but I am already fearing the worst. I want to tell myself this is just a slump but the increase in strikeout rate seems to indicate that something just isn't right. I haven't combed over the fanposts enough to see if anyone had any ideas about what it is but my first thought would obviously be something mechanical (although I haven't had the privilege of watching him but a couple of at bats this spring so this is entirely speculation). Will Nate get things straight? Or are we going to be seeing a lot more of Melky in CF than we expected? I could see Bobby "giving Nate days off against tough lefties (i.e. all lefties)" if this continues. I pray that we will just be able to laugh about his spring training when he is hitting .270ish with ~25 homers this season, but right now I'm afraid.
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umm.
i know you said this, but.
it’s. spring. fucking. training.
none of it counts.
now, if he’s batting .033 in may, then you can be concerned. otherwise, lay off.
by apoxonbothyourhouses on Mar 19, 2010 1:53 PM EDT reply actions
I have to agree. If we were talking about Jason Heyward, for instance, then yeah I would be concerned. But you can’t read too much into what a veteran does in spring training. More than likely McLouth will start hitting in the next couple weeks and be hitting like his usual self after the first couple months of the season. His struggles so far do however nicely add to my belief that a platoon of Diaz/Cabrera would be better at leadoff.
At this point, it's cause for concern...
if he was hitting poorly, instead of not hitting at all, I might agree, but as of right now, we may need to find him a new eye doctor just to be sure.
when was i "laying on" to begin with?
thanks for updating me on the concept of spring training, i could have sworn these games were factored into the standings/stats.
Well, that certainly didn’t help your cause…
"My team of nine guys who hit like Albert Pujols and never ever bunt just beat your team with one Shane Victorino 472 to 3."
by justincredubil02 on Mar 19, 2010 6:28 PM EDT up reply actions
I'm concerned
About his ability to see the pitch. Nate recently started wearing contacts. He’s trying to hit Major League pitching. Things are not where you think they are, like fast moving baseballs. I hope I’m wrong and he’s just getting a real slow start. But if his vision is the issue, I hope he chooses a 60 day DL and has Lasik surgery. We had a few “black holes” at the plate last spring, I’d just as soon not watch another this year. Diaz, Cabrera, Heyward and somebody can man the OF until June. If I’m wrong, I’m wrong. If I’m right, I hope it happens sooner rather than later. Schafer kept his mouth shut about his problem too long. I hope if McLouth has a problem, he speaks up.
60 Day DL shouldn't be necessary
Unless there some kind of epic complication he should be able to return in two weeks. The recovery time for LASIK is pretty low. I’ve already had a consultation about getting it done this summer, the doc said to take off work for 3-4 days after the surgery just to be safe, but it takes like an hour and they don’t even put you under. It’s expensive as hell but it doesn’t have an extended rehab time like other surgeries. The worst of it is having to put drops in your eyes for about 6 months after because all the laser tweaking apparently screws up your tear production levels in the short term, but he could just keep a bottle with him in the dugout, it’s not like he’d be having to apply it every 5 minutes.
No DL.. let him work this out. I am a huge believer in Schafer but his bat was a big problem in games 6-50 for him. That happened in the beginning of the season when most of us can agree we lost the season and couldn’t make it all the way back. Just because it’s spring doesn’t mean we should think abs. nothing of it. Clearly there is a problem. but again it is spring and he’s a proven vet. let him try it in the reg. season and if we still have this problem then worry and put Melky in center. Until that happens lets keep that platoon and a proven bat in center.
"Spring Training is the most exciting time that can't end soon enough" - Me
I'm split between the two camps
On one hand, I agree, its Spring Training. Half the time, guys are tinkering with new mechanics or trying new things since the stats don’t count.
However having watched Nate play a couple times… that isn’t what it looks like. He looks uncomfortable, and my personal contention is he is playing hurt.
It might be reactionary, but I am concerned.
www.takeyourskirtofftombrady.com
by Sid Bream's Moustache on Mar 19, 2010 3:00 PM EDT reply actions
http://www.talkingchop.com/2010/3/14/1372451/time-to-worry
"My team of nine guys who hit like Albert Pujols and never ever bunt just beat your team with one Shane Victorino 472 to 3."
by justincredubil02 on Mar 19, 2010 3:05 PM EDT reply actions
Oh good lord.
"My team of nine guys who hit like Albert Pujols and never ever bunt just beat your team with one Shane Victorino 472 to 3."
by justincredubil02 on Mar 19, 2010 6:28 PM EDT up reply actions
If we must get technical and semantical, here you go:
con·cern /kənˈsɜrn/ Show Spelled[kuhn-surn] Show IPA
–verb (used with object)
1.to relate to; be connected with; be of interest or importance to; affect: The water shortage concerns us all.
2.to interest or engage (used reflexively or in the passive, often fol. by with or in): She concerns herself with every aspect of the business.
3.to trouble, worry, or disquiet: I am concerned about his health
wor·ry /ˈwɜri, ˈwʌri/ Show Spelled [wur-ee, wuhr-ee] Show IPA verb,-ried, -ry·ing, noun,plural-ries.
–verb (used without object)
1.to torment oneself with or suffer from disturbing thoughts; fret.
2.to move with effort: an old car worrying uphill.
–verb (used with object)
3.to torment with cares, anxieties, etc.; trouble; plague.
4.to seize, esp. by the throat, with the teeth and shake or mangle, as one animal does another.
5.to harass by repeated biting, snapping, etc.
–noun
6.a worried condition or feeling; uneasiness or anxiety.
7.a cause of uneasiness or anxiety; trouble.
8.act of worrying.
9.Fox Hunting. the action of the hounds in tearing to pieces the carcass of a fox.
—Verb phrase
10.worry along/through, Informal. to progress or succeed by constant effort, despite difficulty: to worry through an intolerable situation.
Use worry in a Sentence
See images of worry
Search worry on the Web
Origin:
bef. 900; ME weryen, werwen, wyrwyn to strangle, bite, harass, OE wyrgan to strangle; c. G würgen
—Related forms
wor·ri·er, noun
wor·ri·less, adjective
wor·ry·ing·ly, adverb
—Synonyms
3. tease, harry, hector, badger, disquiet. Worry, annoy, harass all mean to disturb or interfere with someone’s comfort or peace of mind. To worry is to cause anxiety, apprehension, or care: to worry one’s parents. To annoy is to vex or irritate by continued repetition of interferences: to annoy the neighbors. Harass implies long-continued worry and annoyance: Cares of office harass a president. 6. apprehension, solicitude, disquiet, misgiving, fear. See concern.
"My team of nine guys who hit like Albert Pujols and never ever bunt just beat your team with one Shane Victorino 472 to 3."
by justincredubil02 on Mar 19, 2010 6:31 PM EDT up reply actions
My bad there. I thought you were being for realz
"My team of nine guys who hit like Albert Pujols and never ever bunt just beat your team with one Shane Victorino 472 to 3."
by justincredubil02 on Mar 19, 2010 10:00 PM EDT up reply actions
Just a slump
If this was July, a couple of weeks like this would just drop the average .020. This is not a huge deal, but not completely meaningless. In other words, as fans we should be concerned, as we are about all players performance.
As for what should be done, I’m sure Nate and the Braves staff are working hard to get him in the groove. At this point, the Braves will likely stick behind Nate until he can get back on track. If he can’t get it together by mid-May, they will likely start to look at other options.
What I said has been said, and will be repeated many times in different words. Writing it (saying it out loud) helps me believe it.
Slump
Too small sample size..
Oh noes his arms fell off he can no longer swing the bat, that is why his K rate is up.
Everyone its Spring Training for all we know he could be asleep when he comes up to bat
Well. I kinda feel it is time to worry. Its not because of his batting average but his lack strikeout rate. He has put up some decent at bats however he is striking out like crazy. im not sure any person on our team is striking out at that rate including rookies.
For those saying it could be the contacts remember he only had vision problems at night. he said he got them to correct his vision during night games.
Not so sure about that. He said he didn’t realize he had a problem at all until he drove home, I think to Michigan, after the season and could not make out the signs on the interstate. If it is only at night, I have no clue what his problem might be. I can understand striking out and bad contact if he can’t see. Most of these ST games have been day games. If his eyes are ok in the daytime, he should be able to get a hit now and then. .033 with a bunt single is an issue.
i may be wrong, but i think the strikeout rate is probably a result of him forcing it, just try to get out of the slump, swinging at bad pitches. i think its just a mental hurdle at this point. the guy can hit, he always has. he’s just in a little funk right now, and i personally think he’ll work his way out of it sooner than later
"Dum spiro spero"
by Bravely going forward on Mar 20, 2010 1:07 AM EDT up reply actions
I'm as worried about McLouth
as I am excited about Glaus’ .444 average.
I am The One Who Shall Remain Avatar-less.
No need to worry. TP is on the case…
http://blogs.ajc.com/atlanta-braves-blog/2010/03/20/if-mclouth-skid-continues-might-cabreras-role-grow/
I hope he never learns how to speak Spanish.
anyone know
if he is right about him needing to stand tall?
by drumzalicious on Mar 20, 2010 6:54 PM EDT up reply actions
I hope TP’s comments about McLouth are all there is to it. It seems like it would be, major league outfielders with pretty good track records don’t just fall off a cliff…most of the time.
I believe that there is a time to say “It’s still Spring and we still have time” and there is a time to become worried. I don’t think the latter one has arrived yet.
Re: McLouth's vision
As someone who both works in the eye field and has had LASIK, I can state that the recovery time is nonexistent for most people. Generally, you can go to work the next day. However, I don’t play a sport where balls are thrown towards you at speeds up to 100 mph. The risk of injury could lengthen the amount of time McLouth would need out were he to have LASIK.
However, I highly doubt his eyes are the cause of this. I think it’s just a slow start and will work itself out like slumps do.
tUMD Hockey: In search of a title! But probably not this year.
I’ve stated repeatedly that I thought his problem was his eyes. What I’ve heard lately makes me think I was wrong. I don’t have massive faith in TP, but if he sees McLouth too squatted down, maybe that’s the problem. They have Nate getting 9 AB’s in minor league ST games, maybe he can get it worked out. Might even lead to TP’s reputation getting a little bump.
the only thing that makes me worry about mcstrikeouts vision is his high K rate.
Pujols is NOT God.... sure he'll hit .350, hit 50 bombs, and drive in a 125....but then again...so will Heyward..
by lemke2blauser2bream on Mar 21, 2010 6:14 PM EDT reply actions
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